5/8/2008

Sheriff White getting ready to step down

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ken White has served six, four-year terms as Ottawa County sheriff, longer than any previous sheriff in the county's history.

But after 32 years in law enforcement, preceded by 12 years in the Marine Corps, White says he's looking forward now to chasing cows, not criminals.

White, 62, plans to step down by the end of the year.

Two Republicans are in the political race to succeed him: former undersheriff and now Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency Director Keith Coleman, and Brandon Cochran, a sheriff's deputy. They'll face off in the August primary.

White's retirement plans include continuing to manage a small cattle herd on his farm, eight miles east of Bennington, and perhaps working part time at a sale barn or similar cattle business.

White said health problems are partly to blame for his deciding not to seek another term. In the last two years, he's had heart bypass surgery, shoulder replacement surgery and nursed a broken leg.

From Staff Reports

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